Lionsgate And Roadside Attractions Buy 'Arbitrage': Sundance

EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have acquired U.S. rights to Arbitrage for $2 .5 million, I hear. They are working out the distribution plan, but it will be an awards-season release built around Richard Gere’s performance, and there will be a day-and-date VOD release plan similar to the one that Lionsgate and Roadside used to great success with Margin Call. That film’s Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for J.C. Chandor validated VOD as a venue to get serious awards season consideration. The deal took all night, with the Weinstein Co and Open Road among those in the mix.

The Nicholas Jarecki-directed drama stars Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling and Nate Parker. Gere plays a hedge-fund magnate is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire before the depths of his fraud are revealed. An unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help. WME Global, Linda Lichter and Lisa Wilson brokered the deal. The film received a strong reaction when it premiered last Saturday at the Eccles Theater. The film was produced by Laura Bickford, Justin Nappi, Robert Salerno and Kevin Turen.